Knock-down type concealed leg bracket



Sept. 11, 1956 J. HIRSCH 2,762,671

KNOCK-DOWN TYPE CONCEALED LEG BRACKET Filed March 15, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 11, 1956 J H H 2,762,671

KNOCK-DOWN TYPE CONCEALED LEG BRACKET Filed March 15, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet 2 KN OCK-DOWN TYPE CONCEALED LEG BRACKET Joseph Hirsch, NewRochelle, N. Y.

Application March '15, 1954, Serial No. 416,353

4 Claims. ('Cl. 3'1"1-112) This invention relates generally to bracketsby means of which legs are connected to fiat surfaces such as tables,chairs, and the like; and more particularly to such which are especiallyadapted to secure the leg in connection to such surfaces in both theset-up and knock-down condition.

Most frequently, furniture having legs is shipped in a set up condition.The legs being relatively fragile projections are subject to thelikelihood of damage in transit. In order to protect them, heavy cartonswith padding of corrugated cardboard are used, and even moreexpensively, wooden crates are employed. The legs when shipped set upare held in position by screws or dowels and glue. After a period ofuse, these joints loosen. Because when shipped set up, the packing andshipping .costs are higher, there is a need for an improvedconstruction.

it is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide anovel and useful improvement which will obviate the foregoingdisadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide knockdown typedetachable leg bracket construction wherein the leg and platforminterconnection presents :from- .a majority of points of view a dowelledand glued or mortised and tenoned appearance.

Another object herein is to provide construction of the class describedwhich can be used with legs having, when set up, a wide range of angleswith respect to the horizontal or similar surface with which they are:used, and can be used with any object that has legs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide furnitureconstruction having means for connecting legs to a platform whereby thelegs may be folded-fiat against the underside of the platform laterallydisplaced with respect to each other so that they do not take up anymore space than the thickness of a single leg. When'the legs are foldedflat, they-lie side by side instead -of overlapping.

A still further object herein is to provide-structure of the classdescribed which will afford lower production costs, lower packing costs,and lower shipping costs, while making'a sturdy and long-lastingconnection between the leg and platform elements when the articleissetup.

A feature of the present construction is that his easy to use, requiringno special skill or tools. Anordinary screw driver is all that isnecessary and the same'screw is used to secure the leg element in theknock-down and set-up positions.

These objects and other incidental ends andadvantages will more fullyappear in the progressof this disclosure and be pointed out in theappended claims.

In the drawings, similar reference characters designate correspondingparts throughout the several views in each embodiment.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a first embodiment,which in this view a pair of legs are in the knock-down side-by-sideposition with the table standing on one edge thereof.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective showing the table nited States Fatenti ice 2 bracket element and the leg bracket element of Figure 1 inexploded position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the upperend of one ofthe legs preparatory to the attachment thereto of the leg bracketelement.

Figure 4 is a view inperspective of a portion of the table shown inFigure 1 with a leg in a set-up position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane-55 on Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane6-6 on Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view corresponding generally :tothe upper portion of Figure 1 but showing a second embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the leg bracket .element shown inFigure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective view corresponding generally toFigure l, but showing a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure .10 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a platformbracket element in a position rotated generally through from theposition shown in Figure .9.

Figure 11 is an exploded view showing the top of a leg and a leg bracketelement.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a leg in set-upposition, and connected to a platform element.

Figure 13 is .afragmentary elevational view as seen in the direction ofthe arrow 13 on Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical, sectional view as seen from theplane 1414 on Figure 13.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10 comprises broadly a platform bracket element 12and a leg bracket element 14. The platform bracket element may beconnected to any suitable generally horizontal platform, such as thetable top lfishown, ,orother table tops, base elements of cabinets,chair seat elements, shelves, radio cabinets, or the like (not shown).Often, the tabletop .16 is 'ofsufficient thickness to form a'suitableanchorage for the-platform bracket element means 18 which may ,well takethe form of ordinary wood screws. When the .table top element .is thin,a cleat or similar transverse support (not shown) maybe utilized.

The leg bracket element 14 is secured in a suitable manner to the upperend 22 of a leg 24, for example by the means 26, which may take the formof ordinary wood screws.

Turning toFigure 2, the platform bracket element 12 may include abody 28having a first engaging edge30, a second engaging edge 32, which arepreferably bent forward (Fig. 1) and opposed third and fourthedgesj38and 41 The body-28 is provided witha plurality of screw receiving holes42 (for screws 43), and with an :unthreaded hole 44. Extending from theedge 40, substantially perpendicular thereto, is a securing flange 45which has the hole 44. .The plat-form bracket element 12iispreferably-formed by blanking and bending the same from suitable sheetstock, as for example sheet steel.

The leg .bracket element 14'has a body 46 including a first lockingflange 50, a second locking flange 52, ,a third edge 58 and afourth-edge 60. Extending at substantially aright angle from the edge 6%is the securing flange 54 which is provided with a knock-down positionthreaded hole64. The body 46 has a plurality-of screw receiving holes 62(for screws 63). The body .46 adjacent the edge 60 has a set-uppositionthreaded hole 65.

Theupper end 22 of-the leg 24,is recessed (see Figure 3) so that thenormally outermost surface 13, as well as the surfaces Hand 17, form a:rim 19 which is-adapted to contact the undersurface 21. .The depression23 isof a size .sufiicient-to .receivethe ,leg bracket element -,14 andthe surface .25of the leg 24 is provided with a stepped recess 29. Therecess 29 is adapted to receive the securing flanges 54 and 45, whilethe forward portion of said recess as viewed in Figure 3 affordsclearance for the inner end of the screw 75 (Figure 6).

In the set-up position best seen in Figures 4, and 6, the parts areinterfitted with the first and second engaging edges 30 and 32 disposedwithin the first and second looking flanges, respectively, while thescrew 75 maintains the securing flange in juxtaposed position with theso curing flange 54. Since the screws 43 engage the top 16 and thescrews 63 engage the upper end 22 of the leg 24, it may be seen that theparts are maintained in a substantially integrated fashion. The flangesand 52 are preferably arranged to-taper toward each other at a veryslight angle in a direction away from the securing flange 54, andcorrespondingly, the edges 30 and 32 are arranged to converge slightlytoward each other in a direction away from the securing flange 45. Thus,when the screw is tightened, the parts are unified with a wedging actionand a consequent rigidity of the parts which is reflected in thestability of the set-up table.

It may be noted that when the parts are arranged, as for example shownin Figure 4, that from most ordinary positions outside of the table, thecompleted article does not convey to the viewer the fact that the legsare easily and conveniently detachable, either for the original changingor during-any subsequent moving operation.

In the knock-down position, the securing flange 45 has the surface 77thereof (Figure 4) in juxtaposition with the surface 79 of the legbracket element 14. Between said surface 79 and said surface 77 there isinterpositioned a resilient washer 80. The washer 80 may be composed ofrubber or the like, and the purpose thereof is to allow minor deflectionof the leg 24 with respect to the leg 24a so that legs which arenormally juxtaposed on an article of furniture, when knocked down can beshifted with respect to each other so that they may have a sideby-siderelationship such as shown in Figure 1. Here, for the purpose ofavoiding repetition, the second leg is given certain of the prior usedreference characters with the addition of the suflix a.

Instead of the rubber or resilient washer, it is feasible to use a smallspring of the helical type, or a small orificed wooden wedge.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7and 8, for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary repetition, certain ofthe parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are given thesame reference characters with the prefix 2.

The principal difference between the first and second embodiments isthat in the second embodiment, the leg 124 is adapted to be disposed ata predetermined angle with respect to the leg 124a when the article offurniture is in a knock-down condition.

As seen in Figures 7 and 8, the securing flanges 245- and 254 arearranged at complementary angles. The en gles, which the flanges 245 and254 take in Figures 7 and 8, are exaggerated for the purpose of clarityand in practice should not be so great as to cause the outermost leg(not shown in said figures but corresponding to leg 124a) not to projectbeyond the table top.

Turning now to the third embodiment of the invent-ion, shown in Figures9 to 14, inclusive, avoiding repetition, certain of the partscorresponding to the first embodiment are given the same referencecharacters with the prefix 63',

In this embodiment, the general arrangement is reversed, the receivingpart on the table and the inserted part on the top of the leg.

While in Figure 9 the platform bracket elements 312 and 312a arelaterally offset as viewed in said figure, this is for the purpose ofclarity only, and it will be understood that the feature of theinvention by which the legs are pivotally mounted when in the knock-downposition thereof, permits said platform bracket elements to be placed inline so that each is equi-distantly disposed with respect to theadjacent table-top corner. The platform bracket element 312 is shown inFigure 10 as rotated through from the bracket shown in Figure 9, anddiffers from the platform bracket element in that the edges 36 and 32 ofthe first former are replaced by the flanges 330 and 332. Furthermore,the securing flange 45 is replaced by the extension securing flange 345which has a threaded hole 344.

The leg bracket element 314 has the locking edges 350 and 352 and thebody 346 has a hole 365. Thus the parts may fit together in theassembled or set-up position as shown in Figures 12 and 14. A screw 375passes freely through the hole 365 and engages the threads in the hole344.

In order to afford passage for the locking flanges 330 and 332, thedepression 323 has two spaced and parallel elongated grooves 323a and32%. The inner end (not shown) of the screw 375, may be pointed so thatafter passing through the threads 344 it may enter the wood at the top322 of the leg 324. Here again in the set-up condition, the rim 319engages the undersurface of the platform element to provide a sturdyconnection with a permanently set-up appearance.

In the knock-down position, the body 346 has an offset bracket flange390 which is provided with a hole 391 through which the screw 375 may beinserted to engage the threaded hole 344. This enables the leg to bepivoted about the screw 375, which upon tightening, holds the leg in anadjusted position so that a side-by-side relationship may be establishedas indicated generally in Figure 9.

It may thus be seen that I have provided a novel and useful furnitureconstruction in which the leg elements and platform elements may beeasily and quickly provided with corresponding bracket elements, andwhich may easily and quickly be arranged in knock-down or set-upposition. In either position the parts are securely connected.

An incident advantage of the present construction lies in the fact thatunder certain circumstances the legs may be supported independently ofthe platform or similar elements and may also be supplied in sets ofvarying sizes so that the dealer may offer the particular article offurniture at different heights, the same top, for example, beingutilized to form a low coffee table, a medium height coffee table, aregular height table, and so on.

By virtue of the saving obtained in the elimination of fitted joints andglueing, the present construction may be accomplished at little or noincrease in cost over earlier less satisfactory constructions.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art to which thepresent invention pertains.

I claim:

1. Furniture construction comprising: a platform element; a pair of legelements spaced from each other and detachably connectible to saidplatform element; means fixedly securing said leg elements in the set-upposition thereof to said platform element which means is characterizedby the disposition thereof within the upper end of said leg so as to bepartially concealed thereby; and pivotal means holding said leg elementsto said platform elements in the knock-down position of said legelements; said last-mentioned means positioning said legs in a planespaced from and parallel to the platform element; whereby said legelements in the knock-down position thereof may have a lateralside-by-side arrangement.

2. Furniture construction comprising: a platform element, a leg element,a platform bracket element secured to said platform element; said legelement having a depression at one end thereof and a leg bracket elementdisposed within said depression and secured to said leg element; meansin the set-up position of said parts to detachably secure said legbracket element to said platform bracket element, said leg elementassuming an abutted relationship with respect to said platform elementto substantially conceal said platform and leg bracket elements; and inthe knock-down position thereof to detachably secure the leg bracketelement to the platform bracket element with said leg bracket element ina dif ferent position.

3. Furniture construction comprising: a platform element, a leg element,a platform bracket element secured to said platform element; said legelement having a depression at one end thereof and a leg bracket elementdisposed within said depression and secured to said leg element; meansin the set-up position of said parts to detachably secure said legbracket element to said platform bracket element, said leg elementassuming an abutted relationship with respect to said platform elementto substantially conceal said platform and leg bracket elements; and inthe knock-down position thereof to detachably secure the leg bracketelement to the platform bracket element with said leg bracket element ina different position; and means providing pivotal movement of said legelement with regard to said platform element when said leg element is inthe knock-down position thereof.

4. Furniture construction comprising: a platform element, a leg element,a platform bracket element secured to said platform element; said legelement having a depression at one end thereof and a leg bracket elementdisposed within said depression and secured to said leg element; meansin the set-up position of said parts to detachably secure said legbracket element to said platform bracket element, said leg elementassuming an abutted relationship with respect to said platform elementto substantially conceal said platform and leg bracket elements; and inthe knock-down position thereof to detachably secure the leg bracketelement to the platform bracket element with said leg bracket element ina different position; and means providing pivotal movement of said legelement with regard to said platform element when said leg element is inthe knock-down position thereof; said last-mentioned means serving toposition said legs in a plane spaced from and parallel to said platformelement; whereby said leg elements in the knock-down position may have alateral side-by-side arrangement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS835,582 Tobey NOV. 13, 1906 1,356,745 Schwartz Oct. 26, 1920 1,422,246Adams July 11, 1922 1,567,958 Kositzky Dec. 29, 1925 1,585,459 Bauer May18, 1926 2,173,159 Ewan Sept. 19, 1939 2,235,650 Wiepert Mar. 11, 19412,667,393 Becker I an. 26, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 372,052 Great BritainMay 5, 1932

